The Enid M. Baa Library of the Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums (DLAM) has acquired an extensive collection of memorial booklets since the early 1970's for U. S. Virgin Islands residents. Booklets are usually more than 10 pages long and give details of the life and family connections of the deceased.

c 6iua ,y 11, 1.924- 4y eom rw r .16, 19f96
We gather together this day to pay tribute to and celebrate Florina's
entrance into eternal life. We bid farewell to her for this moment and await
the time when we will see her again.
Anne Florina was born on St. Thomas on February 11, 1924 to Eudocie
Ledee and Louis Quetel of which she was the fifth of nine children. During
her childhood, like most French children of that time, life was difficult and
poverty was everywhere. Florina, like everyone else, had many responsi-
bilities, education being very important. She obtained her schooling at Sts.
Peter and Paul and continued at Charlotte Amalie School.
Florina, along with other members of her family, spent many nights
doing straw work and studying by candlelight. The straw goods were then
sold on Saturdays at the cooperative which was located at the old Conti-
nental building. *
After completing school, Florina held many jobs, one of them being a
nurse's aide, but the night-shift was something that she could not handle.
She worked at "Hays" Department Store and several other stores in Char-
lotte Amalie.
Florina was a member of the Societies of St. Anne, Our Mother of
Perpetual Help and the Sacred Heart and a fervent member of the St.
Anne's Chapel Choir. Florina especially enjoyed singing at the Christmas
Midnight Service and Easter Sunday Mass.
Not being satisfied with her life and feeling that there was something
more meaningful that she wanted to do, and because of her deep devotion
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Florina felt drawn to religious service. She
eagerly pursued her dream and traveled to Dearborn, Michigan, where she
entered the convent and stayed there for six years. Florina returned to St.
Thomas in 1959 due to ill health and the realization that being a nun was
not her calling in this life.
She returned to her life as it was before and shortly thereafter met, fell
in love and married Joseph Berry and was together until his passing on July
8, 1991. From this joining came one daughter and one son, and three
grandchildren.
Florina remained the rest ofher life on St. Thomas where she pursued a
career in teaching and taught in the public school system until her retire-
ment in 1983. Her plans were then to enjoy the remainder of her life with
her family and grandchildren, however, that was not the plans of our
3

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1924 1996

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Father. On November 14, 1986, Florina had a
stroke that left her paralyzed and speechless. She
S then suffered another stoke about one year later.
She developed heart problems, high blood pres-
sure and diabetes and in the last three years of her
life fought on and off with cancer.
Florina spent the last ten years of her life bedridden. She lost
her loving husband Joseph and her beloved sister Octavie. She endured
many personal heartaches, but through constant prayer and devotion was
able to overcome many of her sufferings.
The last five years were spent living with her daughter and her family,
moving just a few short months ago to Connecticut. Florina, by the mercy
of God, did not suffer a painful death, but went peacefully in her sleep on
November 16, 1996 at 1:00 am.
She will be deeply missed. May she rest in peace.

My Beloved Mother... Your long struggle in this life is over. Mom, you
have given me a most precious gift, a deep and abiding love for God, a
strong faith and the knowledge that prayers can move mountains. God
showed me through you His everlasting presence in the daily miracles I
found in you.
In these last ten years of your many illnesses, I was given the opportu-
nity to become very close to you. You never wavered in your trust in God
all through your tribulations. You have instilled in me patience, tolerance,
gentleness and the ability to see the presence of love at all times in you.
God gave you to me so that I would grow in Icve for Him.
I have shed many tears in the last few weeks. I have experienced many
emotions, those of sadness at your suffering, those of joy in having you for
a mother. I prayed for peace for you and all of us that you've left behind. I
have always tried to fulfill you wishes. I know that sometimes I've fallen
short, but that didn't matter to you. You always saw the best in me and
you always loved me.
The pain I feel at this moment is so great my heart Is in a million pieces.
I miss you terribly and I will always love you. Whenever I feel burdened
with your loss, I will take comfort in knowing that you are in a much better
place, for surely you rest In the arms of our Blessed Savior. I know I will
see you again and I know at times my struggle with your loss will be great,
but I'll always remember and cherish the many memories that will forever
be in my heart. Rest peacefully mother, until we are reunited again In
heaven.
Love, Rosie
Do not stand at my grave and weep:
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry:
I am not there. I did not die.
With all of our love, your son Michael and Deborah